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Programs & Partners

Volunteers in Police Service Program (VIPS)

Volunteers in Police Service logoThe VIPS Program provides support and resources for agencies interested in developing or enhancing a volunteer program and for citizens who wish to volunteer their time and skills with a law enforcement agency. The program's ultimate goal is to enhance the capacity of state and local law enforcement to utilize volunteers. The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) manages the VIPS Program in partnership with the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.

VIPS Goals

  • learn about promising practices being used in existing VIPS programs and share this information with law enforcement agencies that want to expand their programs.
  • increase the use of volunteers in existing programs.
  • help citizens learn about and become involved in VIPS programs in their communities.
  • help agencies without volunteer programs get them started.

VIPS Resources

The foundation of VIPS is the Web site www.policevolunteers.org, which serves as a gateway to information for law enforcement agencies and citizens interested in law enforcement volunteer programs.

This Web site offers

  • a directory of law enforcement volunteer programs and volunteer opportunities available in law enforcement agencies across the country.
  • a library of sample documents and forms, including policies and procedures, training materials, and screening forms.
  • Volunteer Programs: Enhancing Public Safety by Leveraging Resources, a resource guide for law enforcement agencies interested in starting a volunteer program.
  • VIPS in Focus, a publication series that builds on this resource guide, addressing specific elements and issues related to law enforcement volunteer programs.
  • a model policy developed in collaboration with the IACP's National Law Enforcement Policy Center.
  • training courses for law enforcement volunteer coordinators.
  • a technical assistance program to help local agencies determine their volunteer needs and design programs that will effectively meet those needs.
  • a mentor program that pairs new law enforcement volunteer coordinators in need of support with experienced coordinators.
  • educational videos.
  • VIPS Info, a monthly electronic newsletter that provides news and events about the VIPS Program and law enforcement volunteer activities across the country.
  • VIPS in the News, a bimonthly electronic newsletter recognizing law enforcement volunteer programs that have recently been in the news.
  • VIPS to VIPS, a moderated online discussion group for law enforcement volunteer program leaders to share information and ideas.

Learn more by visiting the Volunteers in Police Service homepage.